U.S. patent application number 16/538538 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-18 for bioptic barcode reader with capacitively coupled radio-frequency antenna.
The applicant listed for this patent is ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Sean Connolly, Mark W. Duron, Rehan K. Jaffri.
Application Number | 20210049330 16/538538 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004257964 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210049330 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jaffri; Rehan K. ; et
al. |
February 18, 2021 |
BIOPTIC BARCODE READER WITH CAPACITIVELY COUPLED RADIO-FREQUENCY
ANTENNA
Abstract
A bioptic barcode reader configured to be supported by a
workstation and having a lower housing with a platter having a
generally horizontal window and a tower extending generally
perpendicular to the lower housing and having a generally vertical
window. A radio-frequency identification radio is positioned within
the lower housing and is communicatively coupled to a feed patch
positioned within the lower housing and proximate, but spaced apart
from, the platter such that the feed patch is capacitively coupled
to the platter and configured to energize the platter such that the
platter is operative as a radio-frequency identification reader
antenna.
Inventors: |
Jaffri; Rehan K.; (New York,
NY) ; Duron; Mark W.; (Mastic, NY) ; Connolly;
Sean; (Stony Brook, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION |
Lincolnshire |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004257964 |
Appl. No.: |
16/538538 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 7/1413 20130101;
G06K 7/10831 20130101; G06K 7/0004 20130101; G06K 7/10326
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06K 7/00 20060101
G06K007/00; G06K 7/14 20060101 G06K007/14; G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10 |
Claims
1. A bioptic barcode reader configured to be supported by a
workstation, the bioptic barcode reader comprising: a lower housing
and a tower extending generally perpendicular to the lower housing,
the lower housing having a top lower-housing surface and the tower
having a generally vertical window; a platter positioned above the
top lower-housing surface and having a generally horizontal window;
a radio-frequency identification radio positioned within the lower
housing; and a feed patch positioned within the lower housing and
proximate, but spaced apart from, the platter; wherein the feed
patch is communicatively coupled to the radio-frequency
identification radio; and the feed patch is capacitively coupled to
the platter and configured to energize the platter such that the
platter is operative as a radio-frequency identification
antenna.
2. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the platter emits
a radiation pattern oriented in a direction generally perpendicular
to a top surface of the platter when the platter is energized by
the feed patch.
3. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the platter is a
weighing platter.
4. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 1, wherein the
radio-frequency identification radio is oriented to act as a
reflector for the platter when the platter is energized by the feed
patch.
5. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 1, wherein a chassis of the
lower housing is metallic and acts as a reflector for the platter
when the platter is energized by the feed patch.
6. A bioptic barcode reader configured to be supported by a
workstation, the bioptic barcode reader comprising: a lower housing
and a tower extending generally perpendicular to the lower housing,
the lower housing having a top lower-housing surface and the tower
having a generally vertical window; a platter positioned above the
top lower-housing surface and having a first portion and a second
portion insulated from the first portion and a generally horizontal
window; a radio-frequency identification radio positioned within
the lower housing; and a feed patch positioned within the lower
housing and proximate, but spaced apart from, the first portion and
the second portion of the platter; wherein the feed patch is
communicatively coupled to the radio-frequency identification radio
and capacitively coupled to the first portion and the second
portion of the platter; and the feed patch is configured to
energize the first portion and the second portion of the platter
such that the platter is operative as a radio-frequency
identification antenna.
7. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 6, wherein the first and
second portions of the platter have parallel flat top surfaces.
8. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 6, wherein the platter emits
a radiation pattern oriented in a direction generally perpendicular
to a top surface of the platter when the platter is energized by
the feed patch.
9. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 6, wherein the platter is a
weighing platter.
10. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 6, wherein the
radio-frequency identification radio is oriented to act as a
reflector for the platter when the platter is energized by the feed
patch.
11. The bioptic barcode reader of claim 6, wherein a chassis of the
lower housing is metallic and acts as a reflector for the platter
when the platter is energized by the feed patch.
12. A method of reading a radio-frequency identification tag
proximate a bioptic barcode reader, comprising the steps of:
positioning a radio-frequency identification radio within a lower
housing of the bioptic barcode reader; positioning a feed patch
within the lower housing and proximate, but spaced apart from, a
platter positioned above a top lower-housing surface of the lower
housing such that the feed patch is capacitively coupled to the
platter, the platter having a generally horizontal window; coupling
the feed patch to the radio-frequency identification radio; and
scanning for the radio-frequency identification tag by energizing
the platter with the feed patch.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the platter emits a radiation
pattern oriented in a direction generally perpendicular to a top
surface of the platter when the platter is energized by the feed
patch.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the platter is a weighing
platter.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of
orienting the radio-frequency identification radio with the lower
housing to act as a reflector for the platter when the platter is
energized by the feed patch.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein a chassis of the lower housing
is metallic and acts as a reflector for the platter when the
platter is energized by the feed patch.
17. A method of reading a radio-frequency identification tag
proximate a bioptic barcode reader, comprising the steps of:
positioning a radio-frequency identification radio within a lower
housing of the bioptic barcode reader; positioning a feed patch
within the lower housing and proximate, but spaced apart from, a
first portion and a second portion of a platter positioned above a
top lower-housing surface of the lower housing such that the feed
patch is capacitively coupled to the first portion and the second
portion, the platter having a generally horizontal window, the
first portion being insulated from the second portion; coupling the
feed patch to the radio-frequency identification radio; and
scanning for the radio-frequency identification tag by energizing
the platter with the feed patch.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first and second portions
of the platter have parallel flat top surfaces.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the platter emits a radiation
pattern oriented in a direction generally perpendicular to a top
surface of the platter when the platter is energized by the feed
patch.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the platter is a weighing
platter.
21. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of
orienting the radio-frequency identification radio within the lower
housing to act as a reflector for the platter when the platter is
energized by the feed patch.
22. The method of claim 17, wherein a chassis of the lower housing
is metallic and acts as a reflector for the platter when the
platter is energized by the feed patch.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present patent relates generally to bioptic barcode
readers and, in particular, to bioptic barcode readers having
radio-frequency identification (RFID) antenna arrangements for
reading RFID tags.
BACKGROUND
[0002] RFID tags are increasingly being used to track, locate, and
check inventory on items. In a retail environment, RFID tags help
determine whether an item is on the shelf, available in the back
room, in the wrong location, or is no longer in the store. When an
item having an RFID tag is read last by an RFID reader near the
store exit, it currently cannot be determined whether the
particular item has been sold, stolen, or not in the store for
another reason.
[0003] There is a need to be able to identify whether an item
having an RFID tag was sold or was in close proximity to a point of
sale (POS), such as a bioptic barcode reader used at the POS, which
will help in reporting accuracy on items sold and in keeping track
of inventory and reporting shrink. However, bioptic barcode readers
used at POS stations are compact designs with limited volume and
locations for integrating additional electronics, such as an RFID
radio and RFID antennas. In addition, the metal enclosures of
bioptic barcode readers are highly restrictive radio frequency (RF)
environments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals
refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the
separate views, together with the detailed description below, are
incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to
further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed
examples, and explain various principles and advantages of those
embodiments.
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an example
bioptic barcode reader;
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the
example bioptic barcode reader of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 of
FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of another
example bioptic barcode reader; and
[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates a radiation pattern emitted by the
energized platter of the example bioptic scanners of FIGS. 1 and
3.
[0009] The apparatus and method components have been represented
where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing
only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the
disclosed examples so as not to obscure the disclosure with details
that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
having the benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The examples disclosed herein relate to bioptic barcode
readers having RFID tag reading capability to address the problem,
or accuracy, of tracking an item sold and/or no longer in a retail
location. Although an RFID radio can be integrated into the
shielded enclosure of a bioptic barcode reader, finding a location
to integrate an RFID antenna is still a problem. Using the metal
platter of the bioptic barcode reader as an RFID antenna provides a
possible solution to the problem, however, the platter still needs
to be connected to the RFID radio to complete the RFID system
integration and the platters of bioptic barcode readers are
typically highly sensitive weight scales that do not allow physical
connection to the platters for validation and certification
reasons. Physical points of contact cannot be made to the platter
antenna due to the weight scale restrictions.
[0011] Therefore, the example bioptic barcode readers herein
include a feed patch that is coupled to an RFID radio within the
bioptic barcode reader and is located directly under, but spaced
part from, the platter of the bioptic barcode reader so that the
feed patch is capacitively coupled to the platter and configured to
energize the platter so that the platter is operative as an RFID
antenna. This allows the utilization of the platter as an RFID
antenna and connects the platter to the RFID radio without making
physical contact with the platter. Additionally, using the platter
as the RFID antenna located on the top surface of the bioptic
barcode reader with the large number of metal reflectors (e.g., the
scale, chassis, etc.) right below it has the added advantage of
providing directional high gain radiation upwards which helps read
RFID tags in a product scanning region of the bioptic barcode
reader.
[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a first example bioptic barcode
reader 10 is shown, which can be configured to be supported by a
workstation. Bioptic barcode reader 10 includes a lower housing 15
having a platter 20, which can be a weighing platter, that includes
a generally horizontal window 25. Horizontal window 25 is
positioned within platter 20 to allow a first set of optical
components positioned within lower housing 15 to direct a first
field of view through horizontal window 25. A tower portion 30
extends generally perpendicular to lower housing 15 and includes a
generally vertical window 35 that is positioned within tower
portion 30 to allow a second set of optical components positioned
within tower portion 30 to direct a second field of view through
vertical window 35. The first and second fields of view define a
product scanning region 70 of the bioptic barcode reader 10 where a
product can be scanned for sale at the point of sale.
[0013] As best seen in FIG. 2, an RFID radio 90 is positioned
within lower housing 15 and is communicatively coupled to a feed
patch 40, which is positioned within lower housing 15 below platter
20, through a wired connection or any other desired mode of
communication. Feed patch 40 is positioned proximate platter 20,
but spaced apart from platter 20, such that feed patch 40 is
capacitively coupled to platter 20 and is configured to energize
platter 20 so that platter 20 is communicatively coupled to RFID
radio 90 and is operative as an RFID antenna.
[0014] When energized by feed patch 40, platter 20 emits a
radiation pattern 50 that is oriented in a direction, the Z axis in
FIG. 4, generally perpendicular to a top surface 45 of platter 20,
as shown in FIG. 4. Capacitively coupling feed patch 40 to platter
20 allows platter 20 to be used as an RFID antenna without any
physical connection between platter 20 and RFID radio 90 and allows
RFID tags to be scanned by energizing platter 20 with feed patch
40.
[0015] To further direct the RF radiation from platter 20 towards
product scanning region 70 when platter 20 is energized by feed
patch 40, RFID radio 90 can be positioned within lower housing 15
and oriented to act as a reflector to reflect RF energy from
platter 20 towards product scanning region 70. Alternatively, when
not used as a reflector, RFID radio 90 can also be positioned
outside of lower housing 15 of bioptic barcode reader 10 so that
RFID radio 90 does not act as another potential reflective surface
within lower housing 15. In addition, chassis 55 of lower housing
15 can be metallic and also act as a reflector for platter 20 when
platter 20 is energized by feed patch 40.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 3, a second example bioptic barcode reader
10A is shown, which can be configured to be supported by a
workstation. Bioptic barcode reader 10A has the same basic
components of bioptic barcode reader 10 described above, except
that bioptic barcode reader 10A includes platter 20A, which could
be a weighing platter, instead of platter 20. Platter 20A is a
two-piece platter having a first portion 21 and a second portion 22
that is spaced apart from and insulated from first portion 21, with
horizontal window 25 located between first portion 21 and second
portion 22. First and second portions 21, 22, of platter 20A have
flat top surfaces 23A, 23B, respectively, that are parallel to each
other and together form top surface 45 of platter 20A.
[0017] Feed patch 40 is positioned in the same position within
lower housing 15 below platter 20 and is positioned so that it is
underneath and spaced apart from both first portion 21 and second
portion 22 so that feed patch 40 is capacitively coupled to both
first portion 21 and second portion 22 of platter 20 and is
configured to energize first portion 21 and second portion 22 such
that platter 20 is communicatively coupled to RFID radio 90 and is
operative as an RFID antenna.
[0018] When energized by feed patch 40, feed patch 40 energizes
first portion 21 and second portion 22 to generate a dipole such
that platter 20A emits the same radiation pattern 50 described
above for platter 20 and shown in FIG. 4. The use of feed patch 40
spaced apart from and capacitively coupled to platter 20A allows
platter 20A to be used as an RFID antenna without any physical
connection between platter 20A and RFID radio 90 and allows RFID
tags to be scanned by energizing platter 20A with feed patch
40.
[0019] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have
been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art
appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made
without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in
the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to
be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and
all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope
of present teachings. Additionally, the described
embodiments/examples/implementations should not be interpreted as
mutually exclusive, and should instead be understood as potentially
combinable if such combinations are permissive in any way. In other
words, any feature disclosed in any of the aforementioned
embodiments/examples/implementations may be included in any of the
other aforementioned embodiments/examples/implementations.
Moreover, no steps of any method disclosed herein shall be
understood to have any specific order unless it is expressly stated
that no other order is possible or required by the remaining steps
of the respective method. Also, at least some of the figures may or
may not be drawn to scale.
[0020] The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any
element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to
occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a
critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all
the claims. The legal scope of the property right is defined solely
by the appended claims including any amendments made during the
pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as
issued.
[0021] Moreover, in this document, relational terms such as first
and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to
distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action
without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such
relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms
"comprises," "comprising," "has", "having," "includes",
"including," "contains", "containing" or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that
a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,
includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those
elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or
inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element
proceeded by "comprises . . . a", "has . . . a", "includes . . .
a", "contains . . . a" does not, without more constraints, preclude
the existence of additional identical elements in the process,
method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes,
contains the element. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or
more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms
"substantially", "essentially", "approximately", "about" or any
other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood
by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting
embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another
embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in
another embodiment within 0.5%. The term "coupled" as used herein
is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not
necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is
"configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way,
but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.
[0022] It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be
comprised of one or more generic or specialized processors (or
"processing devices") such as microprocessors, digital signal
processors, customized processors and field programmable gate
arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (including
both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors
to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits,
some, most, or all of the functions of the method and/or apparatus
described herein. Alternatively, some or all functions could be
implemented by a state machine that has no stored program
instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated
circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of
certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of
course, a combination of the two approaches could be used.
[0023] Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a
computer-readable storage medium having computer readable code
stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a
processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein.
Examples of such computer-readable storage mediums include, but are
not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a
magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM
(Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable
Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable
Read Only Memory) and a Flash memory. Further, it is expected that
one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort
and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time,
current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the
concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of
generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with
minimal experimentation.
[0024] The patent claims at the end of this patent application are
not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112(f) unless
traditional means-plus-function language is expressly recited, such
as "means for" or "step for" language being explicitly recited in
the claim(s).
[0025] The Abstract is provided to allow the reader to quickly
ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted
with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or
limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the
foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various
features are grouped together in various embodiments for the
purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure
is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the
claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly
recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,
inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single
disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby
incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim
standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
* * * * *